Many parents speaking Tuesday night said they would like to see the failed budget go back for a revote. The budget voted would increase the proposal tax rate by 9.9 percent.

“I think that you can be sure that the people here in this room will drive home the message that Burlington schools, teachers, kids and neighborhoods are worthy of the community's support and we will help you get out the vote,” said Katelin Brewer-Colie.

“Our teachers, our students, our community is more important -- focus the money on the kids,” said Kathy Mathis.

Superintendent Jeanne Collins had presented three options to reduce the rejected budget.

The $67 million budget would have cut $850,000 from spending by reducing foreign language programs and support services, among other items, even with increased spending.

The most drastic proposal, which Collins did not recommend, would have cut more than $4 million from the failed budget and would result in dozens of cut teacher positions. It was removed as a possible option by a board vote.

Still, some on a Reduction in Force list of more than 30 positions, provided by Collins, could be without a job under the other two proposals by increasing class sizes and reducing the district’s diversity funds.

“Cutting all these teachers will decimate this system,” said teacher Megan Fitzpatrick.

Many employees on the RIF list spoke during the meeting’s public comment period. They also placed children’s play blocks on a table in front of the board to represent the number of children they said would be affected by cuts.

Several parents Tuesday said reductions in workforce would send the district in the wrong direction.

“I’m so struck by the budget cuts that are being discussed tonight and the commitments that the board and the district have made,” said parent Meg Cline.

Further cuts to the budget to get to a goal of $1.6 million in reductions could include selling the school’s Murray Street building as well as reducing additional para-educator positions and parent and community resources.

Many parents said they are also concerned cuts would come to the district’s magnet schools.

Other speakers rejected the idea of increase school spending, saying the administration needs to reel in costs and come up with a long-term plan.

The board’s short-term plan, however, is to get a less expensive budget back to voters. If a budget is not approved by July 1, a default budget of more than $2 million in cuts would go into effect.

The school board is not expected to take action on a proposal until new board members are seated next week.

A group called Burlington Friends of Education will hold a meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 8 in the high school cafeteria to discuss the budget.

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